Redondo Beach, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 5-9.205(c)
- Covers
- Combustible tobacco and vape liquids
- Named flavors
- Menthol, mint, fruit, dessert, spice flavors
- Exemption
- Licensed hookah business, 21+ (18+ military)
- Adopted
- Ord. 3194, eff. November 14, 2019
- Consequence
- Permit denial or revocation
Summary
Redondo Beach bars tobacco retailers from selling any flavored tobacco product or flavored e-cigarette liquid, naming menthol, mint, fruit and dessert flavors specifically, under Section 5-9.205(c). The one carve-out is a licensed hookah business that admits only patrons 21 and older, or active-duty military 18 and older.
Flavored Tobacco Products. No retailer shall sell a tobacco product, or any product used in an electronic smoking device, containing, as a constituent or additive, an artificial or natural flavor or an herb or spice, including, but not limited to, strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, coffee, mint, menthol, spearmint or wintergreen that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or smoke produced by the tobacco product. The prohibition in the preceding sentence shall not apply to a licensed hookah business that permits only patrons 21 years of age or older, or active duty military personnel who are 18 years of age or older, to enter the location where the tobacco product may be consumed or purchased.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4889554; v14 updated 2026-05-12).
Full Breakdown
205, part of the tobacco retail permit chapter, sits alongside the City's underage-sales protections requiring posted age-21 notices and ID checks for anyone appearing under 30. Subsection (c) prohibits a retailer from selling a tobacco product, or any product used in an electronic smoking device, that contains an artificial or natural flavor, herb or spice serving as a characterizing flavor, and lists strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, coffee, mint, menthol, spearmint and wintergreen as examples. The ban reaches both combustible tobacco and vaping liquids sold for use in an electronic smoking device.
The single exemption in the ordinance is for a licensed hookah business that restricts entry to patrons who are 21 or older, or active-duty military personnel who are at least 18. The flavor ban was adopted alongside the City's broader tobacco retail permitting scheme in Ordinance No. 203 already limits permits to fixed retail locations.
Violations & Fines
Selling a flavored tobacco product or flavored vaping liquid in violation of Section 5-9.205(c) violates the retailer's obligations under Chapter 9 and, per Section 5-9.202(b), constitutes a violation of the retailer's permit conditions, exposing the retailer to permit denial or revocation under Section 5-9.204 in addition to any other applicable local, state or federal penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any Redondo Beach store sell menthol cigarettes?
Does the flavor ban cover vape juice, not just cigarettes?
Is there any exception to Redondo Beach's flavored tobacco ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redondo Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Redondo Beach to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle flavored tobacco bans.